Ashish Mathur Articles - Page 161

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Ryan Saunders says rookie swingman Jarrett Culver has been among the impressive Wolves players early in training camp. The Timberwolves acquired Culver from the Phoenix Suns on draft night. Ryan Saunders said Jarrett Culver has been among the impressive Wolves early in camp. — Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) October 5, 2019 Culver […]

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported on Friday the San Antonio Spurs and DeMar DeRozan have held discussions on a contract extension. When asked about the report on Saturday by Spurs reporters, DeRozan said he’s just concentrating on the upcoming season and hasn’t thought about a possible extension. DeMar DeRozan when asked about about reported […]

Chicago Bulls legend and NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen thinks there will never be another player like Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry. Curry is the greatest shooter of all time and has special ball-handling skills. The Warriors star shoots the 3-ball like it’s a layup, something Scottie Pippen says will never be […]

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra spoke to reporters on Saturday about shooting guard Dion Waiters and what he’ll bring to the team this season. With the help of David Alexander, who has trained LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul in the past, Waiters lost 20 pounds this offseason and is in the best shape […]

The Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly showing early interest in LaMelo Ball, who is the younger brother of Lonzo Ball, according to Adam Zagoria of Forbes. LaMelo Ball’s NBA Draft stock is steadily rising and there are some who believe he can be the No. […]

Chris Paul says he’s looking forward to having “the ball more often” with the Oklahoma City Thunder. There’s isn’t a ball-dominant player on the Thunder or a go-to scorer, so for OKC to win games this season, it will need to share the ball well on offense and win as a collective group. “It’s a […]

Houston Rockets guard Austin Rivers and Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers had some fun in Hawaii. Austin and Doc went back and forth in front of the scorer’s table during the Clippers-Rockets game. Our own Tomer Azarly was there to capture the fun: Doc Rivers ad Austin Rivers going back and forth in […]

Phoenix Suns officials, coaches and players raved about center Deandre Ayton’s work ethic this offseason, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. By the looks of it, Ayton is primed to have a big second season in the NBA for the Suns. 2018 No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton appears primed for a big season. […]

San Antonio Spurs shooting guard DeMar DeRozan’s jump shot looks improved, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. DeRozan has never been a reliable 3-point shooter, but it looks like that’s an area of his game he worked on this summer. One source who saw DeRozan work out this summer in Los Angeles told The […]

Denver Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray admits making the playoffs last season was big for the confidence of the team since a lot of the players on the roster had never been to the postseason. With that experience under their belt, Murray says the Nuggets now have championship aspirations for the 2019-20 season. After making […]

Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson says Kevin Durant will not join the team on its trip to China for two exhibition games against the Los Angeles Lakers. The franchise determined it would be best for Durant’s recovery to rehabilitate at home. Nets Coach Kenny Atkinson said Kevin Durant will not join the team on […]

Los Angeles Clippers small forward Paul George and Houston Rockets point guard Russell Westbrook shared a nice moment together in Hawaii. The Clippers and Rockets were playing each other in a preseason game. Both Westbrook and George didn’t play, but the stars met up at half-court and exchanged pleasantries. Former #Thunder teammates Paul George and […]

There’s a reason players love playing for Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, and Jimmy Butler is quickly finding out why. Butler, the Heat’s blockbuster acquisition this summer, says Spoelstra’s “sweating” and “yelling” makes it easier for Miami to compete at a high-level in practices — which he thinks will lead to better results when […]

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra is aware that his relationship with small forward Jimmy Butler “is the most important one in this building.” Butler is the highest-paid and best player on the Heat. For Miami to get back to the playoffs this season, Butler and Spoelstra have to be on the same page. “It’s […]

Erik Spoelstra believes the Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler “speak the same language.” Butler is one of the fiercest competitors in the game, something the Heat as a franchise really value. Spoelstra says he and president Pat Riley have always respected Butler from afar and are so excited to have the four-time All-Star in South […]

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra not only met with Jimmy Butler several times during the summer, but he also spoke with Dwyane Wade to get a better feel for the four-time All-Star. Wade and Butler are very close friends off the court. They played one season together on the Chicago Bulls and talk all […]

Philadelphia 76ers power forward Al Horford believes Sixers star Joel Embiid “is the best big man in the league right now.” Horford and Embiid form a lethal frontcourt duo in Philly. For the past few years, Horford has defended Embiid really tough when the Sixers and Boston Celtics have played, so fans in Philadelphia are […]

James Johnson’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, says the Miami Heat forward “will be back with the team shortly.” Johnson was not at training camp for a fourth consecutive day on Friday after being informed Monday he would not be permitted to practice with the team until he reached a certain weight. Bartelstein says Johnson passed his […]

Los Angeles Lakers superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis will play on Saturday against the Golden State Warriors in the team’s first preseason game. It’s the first time Lakers fans will get to see their new dynamic duo in action. Frank Vogel won’t divulge his preseason opening starting lineup except to say LeBron and Anthony […]

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr says point guard Stephen Curry and power forward Draymond Green will play around 20 minutes in the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday. Kerr says Steph and Draymond will only play about 20 minutes in the preseason opener Saturday vs. the Lakers. — Nick Friedell […]

Golden State Warriors power forward Draymond Green likes what he sees from guard D’Angelo Russell. Green says Russell plays at his own pace and doesn’t get sped up: Draymond Green’s initial impressions of D’Angelo Russell: “He doesn’t really get sped up. Kind of stays at his pace.” pic.twitter.com/RvmmllHpwR — Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 4, 2019 […]

Golden State Warriors power forward Draymond Green says he feels like a rookie again. There’s a lot of “new” with the Warriors right now. They’re playing in San Francisco instead of Oakland and the roster is different from the past few seasons. Draymond on move to SF and all the new players in camp: “I […]

Portland Trail Blazers star point guard Damian Lillard didn’t practice on Friday due to a hamstring injury. Center Hassan Whiteside and power forward Zach Collins joined Lillard on the Blazers’ injury report. Lillard (hamstring), Whiteside (ankle) and Collins (middle finger) did not practice today. — Casey Holdahl (@CHold) October 4, 2019 We shouldn’t overact to […]

Speaking as a panelist at TechCrunch Disrupt on Wednesday night in San Francisco, Golden State Warriors superstar point guard Stephen Curry talked about why he’s so interested in investing in startups. Curry says every NBA player should think about what they’re going to do after their playing career is over. The two-time MVP told the […]

Orlando Magic head coach Steve Clifford says point guard Markelle Fultz will play in Orlando’s preseason opener against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday. It will be Fultz’s first NBA action since Nov. 19, 2018. Markelle Fultz will play in the Magic’s preseason opener tomorrow night in San Antonio, Steve Clifford said. — Josh Robbins […]

Veteran shooting guard Kyle Korver is drawing high praise from his new Milwaukee Bucks teammates. Korver signed a one-year, $2.6 million contract with the Bucks this summer. He’s one of the best shooters in NBA history and will stretch the floor very well for Milwaukee this season. Via Eric Nehm of The Athletic: On Monday, […]

Milwaukee Bucks point guard Eric Bledsoe says he’s working on his mental game and moving on to the next play. Bledsoe wants to have more fun this season. For that to happen, the Bucks floor general can’t compound his mistakes and has to forget the bad play that just happened on the previous possession if […]

The Milwaukee Bucks lost combo guard Malcolm Brogdon this summer after the 2017 Rookie of the Year signed a four-year, $85 million offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers. The Bucks and Pacers ended up completing a sign-and-trade deal, with Milwaukee getting draft picks in return for Brogdon. Bucks owners Marc Lasry and Jamie Dinan explained to the media on Friday […]

Philadelphia 76ers star big man Joel Embiid says he has been busting Roy Hibbert’s ass at Sixers practice. The Sixers hired Hibbert to a player development coaching role this summer. Embiid says Hibbert is a great guy who has been helping him get better. #Sixers center @JoelEmbiid on what it's like working with 7-foot-2 player […]

The Los Angeles Lakers are experimenting with a crunch-time lineup of LeBron James at point guard and Anthony Davis at center, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN. At Thursday’s practice, Lakers head coach Frank Vogel paired James and Davis with Alex Caruso, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Avery Bradley to close out a scrimmage. Los Angeles has […]

Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse says point guard Kyle Lowry is expected to be ready to resume normal basketball activity after the Raptors return from Tokyo. Lowry had a procedure to repair a tendon injury in his left thumb in July and has yet to take the floor with his Raptors teammates at training […]

New Orleans Pelicans vice president of basketball operations David Griffin says small forward Brandon Ingram has stood out to him in training camp. Ingram’s playmaking skills are something Griffin has been impressed by. In an interview with ESPN 100.3, David Griffin identifies Brandon Ingram as someone that's stood out to him because of his playmaking […]

Portland Trail Blazers veteran big man Pau Gasol claims his body is “doing great.” Gasol is recovering from surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot. The future Hall of Famer would like to play in the preseason for the Blazers, but admits he wouldn’t be disappointed if he doesn’t see any exhibition […]

During an interview with ex-Spur Fabricio Oberto’s show “DTMB con Fabricio Oberto,” San Antonio Spurs legend Manu Ginobili revealed he almost died in 2004. Ginobili said during his honeymoon, he was involved in a near-fatal car accident that could have ended his life. Via Jeff Garcia of Spurs Zone: “In 2004… during my honeymoon, I […]

Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid wishes All-Star small forward Jimmy Butler was still on the Sixers. Butler and Embiid developed a nice rapport last season, but it didn’t last long. Butler is now on the Miami Heat after signing a four-year, $140.8 million deal with the Heat as part of a sign-and-trade deal with […]

New York Knicks small forward Marcus Morris says he was “very surprised” by San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich’s unprofessional comments. Popovich said he thinks the Morris situation was handled “unprofessionally” this summer. Morris backed out of his agreement with the Spurs and decided to sign a one-year deal with the Knicks worth $15 million. […]

Philadelphia 76ers veteran power forward Mike Scott thinks Sixers star Ben Simmons is playing with a “chip on his shoulder.” Scott also says Simmons has been hitting 3’s in practice this week, something Sixers fans love to hear. Mike Scott on Ben Simmons: “I feel like he has a chip on his shoulder. He’s been […]

Detroit Pistons head coach Dwane Casey says point guard Derrick Rose will be on the floor “if the game’s on the line.” Reggie Jackson is the Pistons’ starting point guard. Detroit signed Rose this offseason in free agency to a two-year deal. The former MVP is slated to be Jackson’s backup, but Casey thinks the […]

Miami Heat point guard Goran Dragic and head coach Erik Spoelstra really like what they are seeing from guard Dion Waiters in training camp. With the help of David Alexander — who has trained LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul — Waiters lost 20 pounds this offseason and is in the best shape of his life. […]